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Dr. Michael Davidson, 44, of Wellesley, was shot in the Shapiro Building at Brigham & Women's around 11:07 a.m. by 55-year-old Stephen Pasceri, of Millbury. He was pronounced dead on Tuesday night.

"Dr. Davidson was a wonderful and inspiring cardiac surgeon who devoted his career to saving lives and improving the quality of life of every patient he cared for," a statement from Brigham & Women's Hospital said. "It is truly devastating that his own life was taken in this horrible manner."

Boston police said Pasceri was found suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the shooting at the hospital and was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the investigation witnesses said Pasceri walked into the hospital and asked to speak with Davidson, and police said that at some point during his meeting with Davidson, Pasceri shot him.

Officials said Pasceri did have a license to carry a firearm.

Pasceri’s family released a statement Tuesday night that said their hearts go out to the doctor's family and friends.

"No words can truly express how heartbroken we are by this tragedy. We are saddened and struggling to make sense of what transpired and ask that you respect our privacy during this time."

Officials said Pasceri’s mother, Marguerite Pasceri, was a patient of Davidson’s and died Nov. 15.

"We are looking at a possible motive. We know (the gunman) came into the hospital on the second floor looking for this particular doctor. There was a reason he targeted this doctor," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said.

Witnesses described the scene inside the Shaprio building, which was briefly placed on lockdown following the shooting.

"Once we were clear of the waiting room, there were police officers with their weapons drawn, yelling, 'Get down! Get down!'" said James Pittelli, whose son was undergoing a procedure at the hospital.

Roads in the area were closed for about an hour.

In 2003, a woman shot and killed prominent cardiologist Dr. Brian McGovern inside Massachusetts General Hospital before turning the gun on herself.